We spoke exclusively to Angus Gartshore, the director of community mental health services for the Kent and Medway NHS Partnership Trust (KMPT), to find out the state of our services – what’s good, what’s bad and what’s changing.

Mr Gartshore, a trained psychiatric nurse, has been in mental health services for 25 years.

"There are two main problems in mental health services at the moment," he said.

"Firstly, there’s a massive shortage of nurses and doctors so like everyone else, we are fighting for very scarce resources.

"When the recession hit in 2008, they stopped a number of the training courses, so now we’re in a position where we’ve got less doctors and nurses so we’re all fighting in the country for the same small pool of staff and clinical expertise.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in Kent

"There’s also an increasing demand on mental health services. With celebrities and people in parliament talking about mental health it increases awareness and people are coming to look for help.

"It’s a good thing but actually we don’t really have the resources to deal with the increased demand."

KMPT provides secondary care to people suffering with mental health problems, including in-patient facilities, crisis and home treatment teams and community mental health teams.

The first point of contact for someone suffering would be a primary care provider – usually their GP.

KMPT single point of access team

Previously a person would need to be referred to KMPT by their doctor.

But recent changes mean people can now fast-track the help they need by calling a 24-hour crisis line.

This phone number offers self-referral and connects people to the relevant support service.

Mr Gartshore added: "What we need to do is work together, because if you’re a patient, the last thing you need to be thinking about is which way to turn.

"But this World Mental Health day, I mainly want to promote awareness, tolerance and understanding. I think it is absolutely a new era for mental health."

Today (Monday) is World Mental Health day and to mark it, Kent will hold it’s first-ever mental health festival.

The free event, organised by a number of mentalh health chairties, takes place at the Leas Cliff Hall tomorrow (Tuesday) from 11am to 4pm

Since its launch in April, Live Well Kent has helped nearly 3,000 people by connecting them to a network of charities and community organisations.

Support is offered for a huge range of issues, including mental health, wellbeing, keeping active and healthy, meeting people, training and work, money management, housing support and improving relationships with family and friends.

Christian, who has bipolar disorder and has battled with depression, said Live Well Kent helped him turn his life around.

Shaw Trust and Porchlight join Graham Gibbens and KCC colleagues at the Live Well Kent launch

He said: "I learned to believe in myself again, gain skills and take a different direction.

"Live Well Kent and its health providers have taught me that if I accept who I am and recognise my skills and abilities there is no end to what I can achieve."

Live Well Kent is led by charities Porchlight and Shaw Trust on behalf of Kent County Council (KCC) and the NHS.

Chris Coffey, from Live Well Kent, said: “We’re really pleased that the service has already helped so many people.

Chris Coffey, from Live Well Kent

“From the numbers of people contacting us, we know that there must be more people out there who need our help, so if you’re struggling with mental ill health or know somebody who is, please get in touch.”

Kent Police have been heralded as the first force in the country to transfer emergency calls about a mental health issue to a specialist.

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matthew Scott, said mental health is the ‘golden thread’ of his policing plan.

Mr Scott said: “Mental health is not only an issue I care deeply about, but also one that has become much more important within the police and criminal justice system.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott

“It is estimated that a third of police time is now spent dealing with people who have a mental health issue and it is in everyone’s interests to ensure there is an effective response."

Kent County Council (KCC) launched their own campaign to raise awareness of the number of male suicides in the county and encourage men to talk.